Georgia (12-1) at Ole Miss (11-2)
- When: Jan 4 2025, 12:00 PM
- Where: The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, Oxford, MS, USA
- Where to watch: SEC Network
SEC Showdown: Ole Miss vs. Georgia Betting Preview and Prediction
Odds: Ole Miss -4.5 | Total: 146.5
The SEC season tips off with a pivotal clash as No. 24 Ole Miss (11-2) hosts Georgia (12-1) in Oxford on Saturday. Both teams are coming off successful non-conference campaigns, but questions remain as they dive into a rigorous conference slate loaded with ranked opponents.
Ole Miss at a Crossroads
The Rebels had an 11-2 non-conference run but stumbled in their most recent outing, falling 87-70 to Memphis. They were down just two points at halftime but got dominated on the glass, losing the rebounding battle 45-34. Head coach Chris Beard is focused on making adjustments in that area.
“We got outrebounded, and rebounding wasn’t even Memphis’ strength. That’s a big concern for us moving forward,” Beard said post-game.
Ole Miss relies heavily on Sean Pedulla (14.7 ppg), Jaylen Murray (13.2 ppg), and Matthew Murrell (11.7 ppg) for scoring. However, their lack of a dominant presence on the boards has been an issue, with Malik Dia (5.4 rpg) and Dre Davis (5.0 rpg) leading in rebounding.
This SEC opener is crucial for the Rebels, who are trying to build a strong resume for their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2019. Their current NET ranking is 39th, while Georgia sits higher at 27th.
Georgia’s Best Start in Decades
The Bulldogs are 12-1—their best start since 1930-31—and are riding a seven-game winning streak. However, their last outing was a near disaster. Georgia trailed South Carolina State by 17 points at halftime before storming back with a 55-31 second half to secure a 79-72 win.
Head coach Mike White views that comeback as a wake-up call heading into conference play.
“We were on our heels in the first half, but our culture came through in the second,” White said.
Georgia’s balanced attack features De’Shayne Montgomery (16.0 ppg since debuting on Dec. 19) coming off the bench and starters Asa Newell (15.5 ppg), Dakota Leffew (12.8 ppg), Silas Demary Jr. (12.4 ppg), and Tyrin Lawrence (10.7 ppg) contributing consistently.
Key Matchups
Rebounding Battle: Ole Miss must improve its physicality on the boards to avoid giving Georgia second-chance opportunities.
Backcourt Scoring: The Pedulla-Murray backcourt for Ole Miss will be tested by Georgia’s defensive schemes and Montgomery’s instant offense.
Pace of Play: With both teams averaging in the mid-80s, this game could turn into a track meet, making the over an enticing option.
Betting Trends
Ole Miss: 4-1 ATS in their last five home games.
Georgia: 5-2 ATS in their last seven road games.
Total Trends: The over has hit in four of Ole Miss’ last five games due to their fast-paced offense.
Prediction:
While Ole Miss has the home-court advantage, their rebounding struggles and inability to dominate physical matchups could come back to haunt them. Georgia’s ability to finish strong and its recent second-half resilience give them an edge in keeping this one close. Look for Georgia to cover the spread and possibly pull off the upset.
Pick: Georgia +4.5
Total Pick: Over 146.5
Final Score Prediction: Georgia 78, Ole Miss 75
With both teams featuring potent offenses, expect plenty of fireworks in a game that could come down to the final possession.
- NCAAB Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
